Hoping that members of the House of Representatives will start using facts and coherent logic to advance the nation's interest is still a fool's errand, but there's one member of Congress, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), who's willing to at least pretend it's possible. Breaking out the teacher's most potent weapon, a red pen, he marked up Republican House members' letter to John Boehner forcing asking him to resist the immigration reform bill that has already passed America's slightly-less-insane upper chamber. Included in his comments are some words we haven't seen on a Congressional document in years, like "evidence," as well as an awesome invitation to "come by my office" if "you don't understand the bill."
Okay I cannot tell you how much this gives me the giggles.
Especially considering the incredible lack of intelligence demonstrated by the Republicans in Congress these days.
They don't understand the female reproductive system.
They don't understand science.
They don't understand math.
And now we know that they also do not understand how to express their thoughts on paper appropriately.
Color me unsurprised.
Well, look at who we've elected as Governors recently. Not a lucid one in the bunch, and Sarah is at the top of the "she said what?" list. See, Sarah, you are the best at something after all. Being an idiot.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I enjoyed this as well. About time someone pointed out their ignornace and incompetene on basic things. Love that Congressman's attitude.
ReplyDeleteI love the attitude also.
DeleteHe seems to have a great sense of humor and the (genuine) smile on his face just makes you want to have a burger with him and discuss the state of today's education system.
Bet he was the kind of teacher that the kids loved but who made them work hard for their grades.
No wonder the GOP wants to rid our country of the scourge of public schools.
ReplyDeleteRep. Takano, a Harvard graduate, taught English in public schools for almost two decades.
Time to get rid of all those uppity teachers who think they know more than us, the rill 'Mericans. We don't need to teach no pissant grammar and composition when we home school our angels.
As long as they can read the Jesus-book, they don't need to be bothered with none of that other litter-ay-choor.
DeleteActually, 3:01, if you look at the bottom of the second page you will see he gave his name, his previous employment (telling this person why he is qualified to do the correcting) and further, listed his time in that profession, which was 1988-2012.
DeleteThat's almost two and a HALF decades!
I love this man.
ReplyDeleteRemember when we had intelligent statesmen and women who were lucid
and riveting instead of lunatics like Louie Gohmert and Michelle Bachmann?
I miss those days . . . .
How dare you cast aspersions on Louis Gohmert's asparagus!!!
DeleteI wish every "in-house" correspondence was addressed this way. Weed out the idiots and exaggerators with the stroke of a red pen. It seems every time a GOPer is confronted with facts and truths they need a fainting couch. When they finally come around from their bout with the "vapors" they reach into their bag of fallacies and pull out what they think is clever indignation. It only serves to make them look like uneducated jerks. The only consolation is that America is slowly waking up to their foolishness. And I for one, will try to keep people from hitting the snooze alarm and ignoring it.
ReplyDeleteGrammar,it's just as liberal as math.:-)
ReplyDeleteI just love it when the GOP and reality collide.
Do you think Republicans are aware that President Obama was the Editor of the Harvard Law Review?
I'm in love. And well done, Rep. Takano.
ReplyDeleteHey RAM, there's a job opening for ya - footnotes 'n' all!
ReplyDeleteThis is EXCELLENT! (if you'll forgive my use of all-caps)
ReplyDeleteTom, in FL
Anybody want to bet on how long it will take for some idiot in the House to try to get Rep. Takano censured because of this effort?
ReplyDeleteI hope he continues to use his red pen liberally (tee hee) and that he releases the results (and grades) to the media each time. The red pen should be his signature. (OK, I'll stop now).
DeleteOoh, the Republicans must be steaming over this!
ReplyDeleteNot only is Rep. Takano a Harvard-educated Democrat of Japanese descent from California (land of all those librul, tree-hugging commies), but he is also the first non-white openly gay member of Congress.
I can almost hear the angry sputtering from a thousand miles away!!!
He's not a ril mercun because he don't rite like us. We learned reedin, ritin, and rithmatic!
ReplyDeleteAn F? My Dad would have given him a ZERO.
ReplyDeleteThe generation Takano is dealing with doesn't get the percentage grading system. You have to make it simple for them and on their terms.
DeleteThe elementary grading system of A-F is what they understand.
I hope he also gives them citizenship grades on their behavior in Congress. I'd give Bohner an N and Alito and Scalia a U.
Rep. Takano is another of my new heroes. They are sprouting up all, and I love it!
ReplyDeleteAnother hero is Malala Yousafzai who spoke at the UN today. She is the young woman who was shot last year by Taliban for going to school. Her speech is awe-inspiring and I definitely hope that she is recognized as a Noble Peace Prize recipient. Too bad our children are not all brought up to believe that education is necessary - a well rounded, non-religious education - to be successful in one's life. We are dumbing our electorate, the current bunch and all their uneducated spawn.
ReplyDeleteWomen seem to coming to the fore in the world as strong, fierce leaders and if this trend continues, there may be hope for our future.
Malala is a beautiful inspiration. Her inner strength, grace, fortitude, maturity and eloquent manner of speaking is a shining example for us all.
DeleteThank you 1smartcanerican for mentioning Malala.
I heard on the news that she received a well-earned standing ovation after her speech.
DeleteWhat a wonderful, poised, intelligent young woman who, no doubt, will make important contributions to our world! Gives me great hope for the next generation.
Thanks. I watched with tears in my eyes. What a brave young lady, and wise beyond her years.
DeleteBUT 50% of them are millionaires so I'm guerssing they don't really give a crap.
ReplyDelete-Oz
I love that this guy is from California. Sorta cancels out Darrell Issa.
ReplyDeleteThis is why Republicans hate teachers. Teachers cut through all the bullshit. They also teach critical thinking skills to that others can do it too!
I hope this guy continues to pull out his red pen. I hope it becomes his signature action in Congress. To hold them accountable and to call them out.
This was excellent! Weepy Orange Man must be fuming! Reminds me a little of the editor who took a red pen to Palin's word salad resignation.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2009/07/palin-speech-edit-200907